PM Engages Health Suppliers to Tackle Medicine Shortages

Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini has invited health suppliers to make contributions on how the country’s health sector could be improved by coming up with lasting solutions.

He said the health sector could not thrive without strategic partnerships and government wanted to make timely payments to suppliers and for the latter to also deliver ordered supplies on time.

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The meeting was held at the Private and Cabinet Office yesterday. It was preceded by two events where local pharmaceutical and medical suppliers made a litany of demands to government, including:

• A call to resolve long-outstanding debts from past emergency requisitions.

• Aligning procurement practices with ESPPRA guidelines, especially during emergencies.

• Publishing clear grading criteria for supplier performance and communicating these during contract implementation.

Suppliers had warned that the shortage of essential medicines in public health facilities was the result of prolonged payment delays, contractual uncertainties and a systemic breakdown in the country’s medical supply chain.

In a statement issued by Acting Government Spokesperson Thabile Mdluli, the aim of the meeting was to understand and appreciate the challenges that health suppliers face as they work with government. It was also to update the suppliers on government’s strategic direction, as well as address the challenges currently faced by the health sector.

Present at the meeting were suppliers and service providers, including those specialising in pharmaceuticals, medicinal supplies, medical equipment, catering and security.

Mdluli said the premier reaffirmed government’s commitment to working with health suppliers in building a world-class health system that delivers quality care to all. He emphasised the need for innovation, efficiency and accountability in transforming the country’s health sector.

The prime minister also outlined government’s Programme of Action under the ‘Nkwe’ mandate, which aims to shift the health system from being reactive to proactive, focusing on:

• Prevention.

• First-class infrastructure.

• Technology-driven solutions.

Suppliers were also informed about ongoing reforms, including maintaining the procurement system, restructuring the Central Medical Stores (CMS) into a parastatal and leveraging electronic health management systems to improve transparency.

On this note, the prime minister is said to have emphasised zero tolerance on corruption, urging suppliers to report any unethical practices to his office, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), or law enforcement.

“Our health sector cannot thrive without strategic partnerships. We want suppliers to see themselves as partners, not as beggars. We want timely payments on our side and timely delivery on yours. This relationship must be built on trust and mutual commitment,” the prime minister said.

Further, he said government declared the shortage of essential drugs a national crisis.

“It is unacceptable. We are taking decisive action and we invite you to the table to help us find lasting solutions. Let us end this problem together. We are not inviting you to bid for tenders, we are inviting you to build a legacy of health and wellbeing for all Emaswati.”

The health suppliers appreciated the prime minister for the meeting and introduced their association, which aims to ensure they speak in one voice as they address their collective concerns.

Mdluli said the suppliers also highlighted some of the challenges they were facing as they worked with government, including delayed payments and delays in the supply chain.

They then proposed:

• Improved inventory management.

• Robust forecasting.

• Stronger process integrity.

• Payment per invoice.

as solutions to the health crisis

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